New Solar Cells that can Face Most Directions and Self-Clean

Complicated debate over which direction solar panels should face prompted researchers at the American Chemical Society (ACS) to develop panels that can harvest energy at any angle light is collected.

Up until Pecan Street's 2013 report, experts suggested tilting panels towards the South. The report concluded that by facing panels to the West, their efficiency is maximized. However, studies now show that the angle at which your panels should be oriented is entirely dependent upon where you live...and finding that angle is not easy.

ACS scientists developed a glass coating with ultrathin nanorods and honeycomb nanowalls that can help underlying solar cells harvest light from multiple angles. The material also repels dust and pollution. The efficiency of these cells can be boosted anywhere between 5.27-27.2%, depending on the angle of light, and up to 46% over long-term use.